Why New York Jets Should Target Matt Flynn, Not Chad Henne

In an article by Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, the New York Jets are considered to be a franchise interested in Miami's Chad Henne:

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The New York Jets are considered a strong contender to land Henne. They’re seeking a quarterback—at the right price—to push foundering starter Mark Sanchez. Henne also would be reunited in New York with new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.

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The concern with this is not only Henne's health for the 2012 season but how much competition he'll be for Mark Sanchez.

If Henne does become a Jet, Tony Sparano will likely make a push for having him under center as opposed to Sanchez. And although a change at the helm provides the Gang Green offense with a fresh face, Sanchez is the better option.

For one, Sanchez is way more established and has proven to get better with each season. No, he's not an elite quarterback by any means but neither is Henne. Sanchez also, lest we forget, took the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship games.

That's something Joe Namath can't even say.

In fact, Sanchez has been the Jets best quarterback since Namath. Other guys like Ken O'Brien, Boomer Esiason and Chad Pennington never accomplished what Sanchez did in a Jets uniform. Only Vinny Testaverde took them to an AFC title game, but he too lost.

Sanchez at his worst doesn't look so bad. 

As for Henne, his two most relevant seasons were 2009 and 2010.

He played in 29 games and threw for 6,179 yards but had just 27 touchdowns to 33 interceptions. The Dolphins also missed the postseason both years, and Henne's 2011 season was cut short due to injury.

All this being said, if the Jets are so determined to bring in a quarterback to compete with Mark Sanchez, why not take a gander at Green Bay's Matt Flynn?

The guy is looking to compete for a starting role, proved he can dice up a defense (just ask the Detroit Lions) and appears to be the next backup to turn into a legitimate NFL starter—guys like Aaron Rodgers and Steve Young come to mind—also Philip Rivers, Brett Favre and Matt Cassel.

Flynn has great mobility and knows how to spread the field. He was not backed by a great defense anytime he was given an opportunity to play in Green Bay, and the Packers also lacked a consistent ground game.

The Jets, if you exclude the 2011 season, have been excellent at rushing offense, and the defense has remained quite sound above all else. Sanchez, in this case, would really have to fight for his job because Flynn is hungry to lead an offense as evidenced by a 480-yard, six touchdown performance.

Although the Jets don't have the receiving corps like Titletown, acquiring Flynn may entice Plaxico Burress and other free agents to The Big Apple.

Chad Henne may suit Tony Sparano, but Matt Flynn suits the New York Jets.

John Rozum on Twitter.